Helminths or parasitic worms behave very stealthily in the human body.Symptoms of an immune response to infection by parasites include flu, food poisoning, allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.It can be confused with the year and can not be aware of infection with a pork tapeworm throughout its life, for 2-3 years.Today we will talk about Helminthiasis, as well as about anthelmintic drugs and why you should not take them "only for prevention".
So first let's give an introduction.In our region, most common helminths live in the intestines.However, some types of parasites also live in body tissues, such as muscle, lung, brain, eyeball tissue, etc.
All helminths that parasitize the human body are divided into three categories:
- Roundworms - Nematodes:Roundworms, pinworms, trichinella, pinworms, etc.Nematodes are the most "popular" parasitic diseases.According to the World Health Organization (who), more than one billion people are infected in the world (in total, more than two billion people are infected with various helminths).
- Fluke worms should vibrate.It affects the liver, bile and urinary tracts, pancreas, intestines, lungs and blood.The most common ticks are opisthorchiasis, schistosomiasis, clonorchiasis, faclioiasis, etc.And some can cause kerminogenesis - the development of tumors.
- Tapeworms are cestodes.There are currently 3,500 known species, and each of them can parasitize the human body.Which cestode you choose for your body depends on the country you live in.One of the main sources of infection with these parasites is fish that has undergone complete heat treatment.Echinococcosis, Dirofoccosis, Taeniasis, Teniarinchiasis are cestodiases that affect not only humans, but also domestic animals.
Helminths suppress immune reactions, as a result of which the body's defense suffers even in severe infections.They provoke allergies, digestive disorders and disrupt the functions of internal organs.The body is poisoned by metabolic products and decay of helminths, suffers from mechanical damage and suppression of the immune and nervous systems.
In addition, the presence of parasites:
- reduces the effectiveness of vaccines;
- complicates the course of various positive diseases;
- negatively affects the growth and development of children and the functioning of adults;
- A change in the intestinal biocenosis and the growth of "bad" microflora (pathogenic and opportunistic - for example, a change in the growth (pathogenic and opportunistic) of Candan's fungi in the canal.
In general, it is really necessary to treat helminthiasis.But it has to be done smartly.
Treatment of helminthiasis.Medicines for worms
At one time, mainly herbal remedies were used to fight worms - male fern, Cypress Wormwood, Chenopodia oil, etc.Synthetic substances are used for these purposes.Therefore, some obsolete drugs (the above-mentioned herbal drugs, as well as hexylresorcinol, carbon tetrachloride, etc.) are removed from the drug anthelmintic nomenclature, but very limited (torn and tansy flowers, thymol, sulfur, pumpkin seeds, etc.)
Modern anthelmintics are divided into groups depending on their main effect on helminths of different classes (cestodes, nematodes, ticks).Some drugs can treat several classes of different helminths.However, it is important to remember that there is no "best treatment for worms" - it all depends on what parasite is invading your body.
Today, most anthelmintic drugs are produced on the basis of six main active ingredients - Albendazole, Mebendazole, Praziquantel, Pritarel, Piperazine ADIPATE and Levamisole.Let's consider its features in more detail.
Albendazole
Albendazole preparations are effective against various parasites - both those living in the intestine and other organs.Moreover, the effect of this substance depends on the time it is taken:
- In an empty stomach, albendazole is not absorbed, but passes through the digestive system and destroys intestinal parasites;
- Together with fatty foods, albendazole absorbs and destroys parasites outside the intestines (muscles, liver, lungs, brain, other organs).
Therefore, the use of albendazole drugs should be precisely agreed with the doctor based on the diagnosis and the results of preliminary tests.
Mebendazole
Compared to albendazole, mebendazole is less absorbed and its effect is mainly manifested in the gastrointestinal tract.Nevertheless, Mebendazole can be prescribed to fight echinococcosis in case of echinococcal cyst, echinococcal cyst, echinococcal bladder, echinococcal cyst in such a place.
According to the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO), Albendazole and Mebendazole should be used for Helminthiases caused by the so-called soil helminths: roundworms, whipworms, hookworms.Both substances belong to the same group and have a similar effect - disruption of glucose absorption in the helminth's body.If there is a lack of glucose, the parasite dies of starvation.
Albendazole and mebendazole drugs are not "budget", but they are worth it for those with relatively possible side effects.
Praktiquantel
Effective against trempatograms (feline and lung flukes, schistosomes).Clonorchiasis, paragonimiasis, opisthorchiasis, intestinal cestodiasis (taeniasis, teniarinineiarinchiasis), etc.It is used to treat.
Pyrantel
Pyrandel is practically not absorbed in the human body, and therefore has an effect aimed only at helminths living in the intestines.It immobilizes worms that are sensitive to it and is eliminated from the body in this immobilized state.
Pyrandel preparations are approved for use by children 6 months old and older - they can be given the drug in the form of a suspension, because in the form of a suspension (the drug in the form of tablets is approved for use only from 3 years).In general, pyrandel is well tolerated, the main thing is to take it with food or immediately after.
Piperazine irid
This substance affects the muscle and nerve cells of nematodes and roundworms, as a result of which the parasites become paralyzed and leave the intestines naturally (along with the feces).
For ascariasis, a two-day course of taking piperazine is usually prescribed, and Enterobiasis (Pinworms) - 1-3 five-day courses for weekly five-day courses between them.Pinworms do not respond to piperazine as quickly as roundworms - they are more resistant.Between courses, it is necessary to do enemas to remove the intestines of gradually dead pinworms.
Levamisole
Levamisole paralyzes the muscles of roundworms and hookworms.It is important!It is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol within 24 hours after taking Levamisole.Otherwise, expect dizziness, rapid heartbeat, general weakness and other unpleasant consequences.These are all "disulfiram-like reactions";It is the basis of the action of drugs used in the treatment of alcoholism and causing alcoholism.
In general, levamisole differs from other anthelmintics in the most developed side effects, even if it is not mixed with alcohol.These include headache, seizures, peripheral polyneuropathy, tremors, sleep disturbance, and confusion.
Another characteristic side effect of Levamisole is olfactory hallucinations.Many people who take Levamisole, for several days, the people around them, bleach, smoke, "chemicals", etc.
Why you shouldn't take anti-worm medication "just to be on the safe side".
It is not recommended to take antiparasitic drugs "only for prevention", even if you have pets at home and walk outside.The role of pets in infecting humans with parasites has been greatly exaggerated.Yes, humans and dogs have a "common" parasite - Toxocara, but most people are infected with ToxoCara through street dirt that contains particles of dog excrement and therefore Toxocara Larvae.In addition, dogs and farm animals can be carriers of the Echinococcus parasite, which is dangerous for humans.But you still can't buy anthelmintics randomly.
The fact is that different drugs from this group not only act on different helminths, but also have different contraindications for use, as well as different side effects.Some of these side effects can be extremely severe because many anthelmintic drugs are toxic - because you can't neutralize the worms otherwise, they are just as annoying as any other parasitic organism.Sometimes after taking certain anthelmintics, for example, Dekaris, as well as when treating Opisthorchiasis, it may be necessary to be admitted to a hospital.
Invasion of your body only when confirmed by the laboratory (it is worth "exposing" to toxic attacks)
Therefore, although the Internet is constantly fueled by aggressive advertising of various "miracle drugs" and horror stories, you should not follow the guidance of parasitophobia.Do not forget that the hygienic conditions in our country are the minimum in Africa, where mass prophylactic deworming is fully justified, at the same time.The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a list of countries recommended for ongoing helminth control.
Prevention of helminthias
Of course, prevention of helminth infection should be done.But what can be said here is not drug prevention.To minimize the risk of catching "uninvited guests", try to follow two basic rules:
- Wash your hands.The most common nematode infection in our region (toxojariasis, ascariasis, enterobiasis) and echinococcosis are not the reason to call them diseases of dirty hands.Therefore, no matter how trivial it may seem, wash your hands often and thoroughly.Moreover, this basic rule of basic hygiene has gained even greater meaning now against the backdrop of the Coronavirus pandemic.
- Maintain food hygiene.Parasitic eggs can enter the body from unwashed fruits, vegetables and herbs - wash them well under running water.Meat and fish that are not subjected to sufficient heat treatment also pose an increased risk.Larvae of parasites are especially common in fish of the carp type, and at the same time, wait at home for salted spawn, especially in pike, as the location of the larvae of the broad tapeworm.Raw meat and rare steaks may contain topavova or pork tapeworm larvae.
In addition to normal heat treatment, there is another reliable way to disinfect meat and fish - freezing them.A home freezer with a temperature range is suitable for this.Keep the fish or meat there for at least two days and be sure: Be sure: the larvae of most parasites cannot withstand such a "cold test".
As you can see, complete prevention of helminthiasis is mainly a lifestyle and regular use of toxic drugs.Therefore, do not take drugs without special reasons, follow food and personal hygiene and periodically test.